SDCC ’08: Report From Lionsgate’s ‘Saw V’ Panel

This Thursday Bloody-Disgusting was on hand for Lionsgate’s Saw V panel at the San Diego Comic Con, which featured the premiere of the trailer and the entire cast and crew talking about Jigsaw’s latest. Read on for the report from the panel of David Hackl’s first SAW film, which stars Julie Benz, Tobin Bell, Scott Patterson, Costas Mandylor, Mark Rolston, Betsy Russell, Samantha Lemole, Meagan Good, Laura Gordon, Greg Bryk and Carlo Rota. In the fifth installment of the popular SAW franchise, Hoffman is seemingly the last person alive to carry on the Jigsaw legacy. But when his secret is threatened, Hoffman must go on the hunt to eliminate all loose ends.The line for the Lionsgate’s SAW V and REPO THE GENETIC OPERA! panel was out the door and wrapped around the back of the convention center to places I didn’t know existed Thursday night at the San Diego Comic Con. Then it started, the room was all silent with anticipation as producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg unveiled a teaser trailer for the latest SAW film, Directed by David Hackl… then, the crowd went nuts.

”Darren (Bousman) and I worked very closely on the past SAW films,” Hackl explains to the audience. “…it was a natural process. For me it was a wonderful opportunity and I had a fantastic time.”

Co-writer Marcus Dunstan was also on hand and had a bit to say about the hardcore aspect of the franchise. “Every time that you watch these, we are aiming to kick your ass back into the seat and scare you white.”

“We continue to make these films because we aren’t finished telling the story,” Producer Mark Burg adds with much pride about the franchise that kicked off in 2004.

Partner producer at Twisted Pictures Oren Koules adds, “The SAW films are fun because they are consistent we settle in each year, go to Toronto and get back inside,” he continues, “With each film we go two steps forwards (in plot) and one step back for the fans.”

The trailer screens:

Scott Paterson, who is featured in the trailer shown above, talks about what you just saw. “That box you see in the trailer, was so frightening. Inside the trap was an all day event – I have never been that frightened in my life. When we did the fast take… all the crew had to get me out because I was so scared and I went into shock!”

Director David Hackl screams “I told you so!”

“I warned him [Scott] about the trap, and as soon as he said yes, I was nervous. Scott wasn’t nervous until he got in the trap. You will see in the film just what was so crazy. Their was no way to do this with CGI and have it be believable.”